gansu girl's Profile
Cooking quinoa
First off, that recipe sounds delicious! Second, the water:quinoa proportions seem right - that's what I always use. I think it's the timing. I've never had quinoa cook in 12-15 min., most often 15-20, sometimes 25 minutes. Is your water completely absorbed in 12-15 minutes? Or are you having to drain it? With those proportions, you can definitely simmer it 'til all the water's absorbed - then I turn off the heat and leave it on the burner (I have gas, so it's just what's left in the grate), covered, for at least another 5-10 minutes.
GG
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Cooking quinoa
Is there *anything* different this time? A new brand of quinoa? A different pan? Liquid? It does sound like you didn't have enough liquid, and yet you say you've made this multiple times . . . so maybe it's a bad batch of quinoa? FWIW, I cook quinoa all the time (never in a rice cooker) and I've never had this happen - I find it much easier/more forgiving than rice. My bet's on the quinoa itself.
GG
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Still lovin' Sofra
Another Sofra lover here - but hate the seating with a passion. Now that it's warm again, will brave the outdoor tables, they're tolerable. Would love it if the counter staff could muster up more than a sneer, but they don't keep me away either. The food is worth it, but take-out only for us!
GG
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Omnivore Interested In Vegetarian Foods
Actually, they do - 2 servings of asparagus (8 spears, 2.1 oz.) has 2.9 g. of protein. 1/2 c. of boiled chopped broccoli (has 1.9 g. of protein). For lunch, I just ate 4 oz. of broccoli, 4 oz. of cauliflower, 1/2 c. steamed lentils, 1 T. of nutritional yeast and that topped out at 20.5 g. of protein. Cooked/heated all those, mixed them together, and for more flavor, I drizzled some Bragg's Liquid Aminos on top and sprinkled curry powder all over. Filling, vegan & very tasty!
GG
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Carrot Cake in Boston?
I really like Rosie's carrot cakes - they are VERY popular, so worth a try for comparison's sake, at least.
GG
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Dairy-Free Glaze for Silver Palate Chunky Apple Walnut Cake?
You know what? I haven't - and your glaze looks perfect. Question - the coconut milk isn't too coconutty? I guess w/only 2T and those other ingredients, it just adds a richness? Thank you so much! She's in boarding school and there are certain nights each month when people can send up desserts - I'm going to get on this!
GG
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Where should I go for my birthday dinner in Boston?
Oh goodie! Have a great time and let us know what you think. Hope you have a GREAT b-day dinner.
GG
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Where should I go for my birthday dinner in Boston?
I'm a broken record on this one, but +1 for Scampo - I haven't had the hit-or-miss issue that hotoynoodle mentions and I think it's a fun room that's upscale enough to feel special, but down-to-earth enough to feel like an occasion-worthy spot. I have never been disappointed in a meal there. Sorrelina is lovely, but feels stuffy to me. Prezza is delicious, but I'm not a huge fan of the North End in the winter. Once you finish dinner at Scampo, you can camp out at one of the bars and watch the young & beautiful converge.
GG
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Sodastream seltzer not holding its fizz?
Thanks, JK - husband is clever like you - and once I told him about this issue, he said "oh yeah, the instructions said it needed to be cold!" So into the fridge went the tap water, and once carbonated, it's been holding its fizz much, much better. Thanks to all you 'hounds!
GG
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Sodastream seltzer not holding its fizz?
Ah, this might be it. It's room-temp water we've been using, from the Brita which stays out on the counter b/c I don't like cold beverages (unlike my husband). I'll put a pitcher in the frige and we'll give this a try - thanks!
GG
http://www.semisweetonline.com
Confused & can't pick a restaurant for anniversary night
Wow. This is going to be awesome, wherever you end up! I agree w/the other poster who said that Erbaluce's room is not romantic. I think it's cramped and blah. Food is quite good, but I'm not wild about the place. L'Espalier would definitely be a pick, based on your preferences - and they are one of the restaurants w/the one reservation for the chef's table (in the kitchen) per night. If you can swing the $, I would HIGHLY recommend doing this. My husband and I did it for our 9th anniversary dinner and it was truly memorable. You will have the "tasting journey" which is multi-course, and they WILL tailor it to your food preferences (when you make the reservation they'll ask you - or someone will call you to chat before you come in). Some courses we got the same items, others my husband got a meat dish and I got a more vegetable-heavy one (I eat mostly vegetarian, although I still do eat some meat). It was very fun to watch the kitchen in action and we got to meet all the players. It's not high-brow or snooty at all and it's a great experience.
The other place I haven't seen mentioned by anyone yet is Scampo - a favorite of mine. The room is fun and funky, the food is delicious and imaginative w/o being over-the-top precious, and each of you would have options for what to eat.
Happy anniversary and bon appetit!
GG
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Restaurants Newton Centre, Highlands, Corner; good but informal
When I saw the title of your post I immediately thought of 51 Lincoln - good food, nice atmosphere, and close proximity. That's my vote.
GG
http://www.semisweetonline.com
Sodastream seltzer not holding its fizz?
I got the Penguin model (has glass bottles) for my husband for Christmas, and we've had a good time figuring out how much fizz we like, trying different flavors (no sodas, just the essences that make it taste like flavored seltzer). Our issue is, if we bottle it up and put it in the fridge, it's pretty much flat when we go to retrieve it later. We're capping it up tightly. Any thoughts on this?
GG
http://www.semisweetonline.com
Whole Foods vs Trader Joes.....
cmcc42 - pretty much any prepared ramen noodle soup I've seen at Whole Foods is extremely high in sodium . . . but with ORGANIC NOODLES! Whole Foods sells stuff w/o artificial colors and flavors, trans fats, etc. but it still sells junk food (bunnies, cookies, chips, ramen, etc. etc. etc.).
GG
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TRADER JOE'S and Whole Foods- BEST PRODUCTS
For the most part, I can't stand WF's prepared foods - they have all started to taste the same to me. The exception is this unhealthy but (I think) delicious broccoli salad with mayo, bacon, sunflower seeds, raisins . . . OMG, I am salivating right now. The rest is WAY overpriced and underflavored.
GG
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Whole Foods vs Trader Joes.....
ilovesummer - I'm confused about what you're after here - are you looking for pre-prep'd foods (either fresh or frozen)? If you are, then neither spot is great - and really, I'm not sure where you'd turn b/c most pre-prepared foods are loaded w/sodium, as you indicate. My vote is for making your own food whenever possible, and in that case, Whole Foods wins my vote. Their produce is much better and their selection of raw ingredients (grains, nuts, dairy, etc. etc.) is more extensive. I cook mostly from scratch and we have a de facto VERY low sodium diet here. When we go out or eat take-away or prep'd foods from Whole Foods/TJ's, our constant complaint is that it's too salty.
GG
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Know any Pre-made (NOT COOKED) food delivery services in Cambridge? Sometimes called Take & Bake.
I have used Healthy Habits Kitchen many times and found their food to be quite good, and indeed healthful. I have friends who swear by Harrows chicken pot pies: http://www.yelp.com/biz/harrows-chicken-pies-medford#hrid:fd8C05RjvZXzB3LDWfnTlg, but I've never had one.
Congrats to you and your wife!
GG
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Skim Milk & Toxic Chemicals??? [Moved from Food Media and News]
OK hounds. Just had friends over for soup and football and the wife was telling me that a friend of hers told her that skim milk is horrible for us b/c "they" use chemicals in the skimming process. And that "we" should all be drinking organic whole milk (apparently they didn't get into the whole raw debate). I have NEVER heard of such a thing, nor do I tend to believe it. A little poking around on the 'net didn't turn up much. Anyone know the origin of this? My impression has always been that dairy processors use a centrifuge for separation. (FYI, I know about the pasteurization/homogenization debate, etc.).
GG
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Wegmans strategies?
I have yet to venture to a MA Wegman's, but I keep telling any rabid Wegman's-newbie just what others have said - it's a nice grocery store, but in light of all the other options in the Boston area, I just don't view it as a destination. I went to grad school in Syracuse, and compared to the other choices near me (Price Chopper), Wegman's was a palace.
GG
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Trader Joe's High Fiber Cereal has a new fan
I don't know about other products, but I eat this stuff almost every morning - there are lots of ways to enjoy it. I think it's one of the best high fiber cereals available, actually. My current fav way to eat it is mixed with 1/2 c. lowfat cottage cheese and 1 T. of American Spoon pear/ginger fruit butter - delicious, crunchy, shot of protein . . . a piece of fruit on the side and you have a healthful breakfast.
GG
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What do you make for breakfast on Christmas morning?
Wowza. Is there a recipe you can point me to for that wonderfulness?
I'm doing this Paula Deen make-ahead baked French toast casserole again - although we never eat it with maple syrup b/c it's just so.damn.sweet as it is.
GG
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Dairy-Free Glaze for Silver Palate Chunky Apple Walnut Cake?
Hi all - I have a niece who's allergic to dairy, and I'd like to make this cake for her, because it's one of the most delicious I know, and because it's dairy-free . . . except for the glaze, which has butter and heavy cream. Specifically, the glaze calls for:
4 T sweet butter
2T brown sugar
6 T granulated sugar
3 T Calvados or applejack
2 T fresh orange juice
2 T heavy cream
The cake itself is very rich and moist (on account of the whopping 1.5 c. of veg oil and, oh yeah, the apples) . . . so wondering if I could just omit the dairy from glaze and maybe add a little more Calvados/applejack? I haven't worked w/butter substitutes, but wonder if they contain too much water to work well here.
TIA!
GG
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Is there a good crock pot cook book?
The Slow Cooker Revolution cookbook *is* excellent! I use the slow cooker at least once per week b/c of hectic afternoon schedules and this one has the best recipes. If you do like dump-n-go, it's not as good for you, however - there is usually some browning/prep that needs to happen before the ingredients go in the cooker.
GG
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Your most requested recipe from Thanksgiving/Christmas dinners
For Thanksgiving, it's this sweet potato casserole from Cooking Light, of all places:
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/streuseled-sweet-potato-casserole-10000000385230/
GG
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Feeding the cancer patient who becomes a transplant patient
Was also going to suggest soups that incorporate proteins like chicken, beans, etc. and greens. Can be made ahead and frozen in single-serving sizes. Stews might be a good idea too . . . likely he's not going to be super hungry, but he needs to be nourished to help his body recover from the assault. If you want to "beef up" any soup, you could also make some rice at the time you're heating his meals . . . easy to stomach and filling, too. And if you run out of make-ahead options or he needs something different, scrambled eggs can be appealing to someone who's feeling crappy and they're quick and protein-full.
I wish you guys the very best. These are hard times, I know . . . hope it all goes as smoothly as possible. Hang in there.
GG
http://www.semisweetonline.com
Best Apple Pie
Although I am, in general, a fan of Verrill Farm, I am NOT a fan of their pies - for the exact reasons you cite in your review . . . .
GG
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Verrill Farm
11 Wheeler Rd, Concord, MA, MA 01742
gift idea for neighbor
This was exactly what I was going to suggest - something helpful for when the baby comes, or a gift certificate to a nice market where they can buy something special to eat in once they're on lockdown. I think a restaurant gift certificate could be nice if they have some time - as a "nice meal before the baby on me" kind of thing.
GG
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Best Apple Pie
+1 for Petsi's - the only pies I'll buy (otherwise, homemade's the WTG)
GG
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What's in your child's lunchbox?
I've gotta say, I'm skeptical. There are so many other factors that could play into this - how old was the lunch meat to start with? What percentage of lunch bags w/o ice packs cause illness? What's in those lunches? I never, ever had an ice pack growing up and I never, ever got sick off lunch. Cheese, bologna, salami, tuna salad w/mayo - all warm by lunch and nothin'. I do send an ice pack w/my daughter to CAMP, when it's in the 80's and 90's and she's in the sun, but otherwise, no ice pack to school.
GG
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Least awful Canobie Lake dining option?
In our experience, the least offensive option taste-wise (and they're all offensive price-wise!) is the place (I think it's a "Yankee Tavern" or something) that's right by the Boston Tea Party ride. There are freshly made sandwiches (turkey my usual), hot dogs/tenders/etc. Ice cream place right around the corner too if you require immediate dessert.
GG
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